‘No fear’ over Nadal break

Originally published on: 11/07/13 00:00

The 12-time Grand Slam champion, who had reached nine consecutive finals and won seven titles since making his return from a seven-month injury lay-off in February, suffered the first opening-round Grand Slam defeat of his career as he was dumped out by Steve Darcis.

It was the first time the reigning French Open champion had lost in the first round at Wimbledon since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997.

Nadal’s straight-sets defeat prompted concerns over the Spaniard’s fitness and that the chronic knee injury that ended his 2012 season at the same tournament last year had returned.

However, while his uncle and coach Toni Nadal admits the eight-time French Open champion is not yet back in full training, he insists there is no reason for concern.

"Rafa will come back. He has no fear of this break – he has nothing more to lose," he said. "Currently Rafa is doing physical training, but no court workouts. The break is important – he has played enough."

Toni Nadal also confirmed that his nephew would return to action at the Rogers Cup in Montreal before completing his US Open preparations at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati.

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